Screw capping machine



24, 1936. A. PODEL I2,034,878

SCREW (-JAPPING MACHINE Filed March 5, 1932 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 77 f2 20 j; 7/ 7% 1. r

iiillill ATTORNEY;-

V A. PODEL SCREW CAPPING MACHINE' 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 5, 1932 F ATTORNEY- 24, 1936. A, PODEL 2,34,8?8

SCREW CAPPING MACHINE Filed March 5, 1932 5 s Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR- flaM/MM F0041 BY ATTORNEY- March 24, 1936. A. PODEL 2&345873 SCREW CAPPING MACHINE Filed March 5, 1932' 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR- M/M/w P0051. B

24, 3936. A. PODEL 9 9 SCREW CAPPING MACHINE Filed March 5, 1952 6 Sheets-Sheet' 5 INVENTOR- TONEY- I Patented Mar. 24, 1936 STATES PATENT OFFICE Anchor Cap & Closure Corporation, Long Island City, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application March 5, 1932, Serial No. 596,967

18 Claims.

The present invention relates to sealing machines, and more particularly to a machine adapted to apply screw caps upon containers.

Many diificulties have been encountered in sealing screw caps upon containers. If the caps are applied by hand, it is not feasible to tighten them sufficiently to pro-vide a secure seal, and, on the other hand, if mechanical devices are utilized, the caps are frequently forced too tightly upon the container and cannot be readily removed. In addition, glass containers vary from a true standard in size so that the threads or the cap engaging means do not permit the cap to be rotated thereon with uniformity, In some instances, a relatively shorter turn will properly seal the cap and, upon further rotative effort, the sealing chuck will slip and mar the lacquer of the cap, thus spoiling the attractiveness of the package. Likewise, if mechanical means are utilized and the cap requires a longer turn than the machine is adjusted to provide, the container will not be properly sealed and the contents thereof may spoil. These difficulties are inherent in existing machines and particularly so in devices for applying lug caps upon containers having interrupted threads thereon. Caps of this type usually require only a relatively short turn to seal the cap on the container.

The present invention aims to provide an inexpensive sealing machine adapted to overcome the above difficulties, whereby a satisfactory seal is provided in every instance. The sealing machine of the present invention is adapted to screw caps upon a container or to tighten caps, placed loosely upon the container by hand, to provide a secure seal. This is accomplished by utilizing a cap engaging head and operating means adapted to rotate the caps a definite or predetermined amount, depending upon the relative fit between the glass finish and the cap. In this manner, the caps are tightened uniformly to effect a satisfactory seal in every instance, without marring or deforming the cap.

An object of the present invention is to provide a simple, inexpensive machine for applying screw caps upon containers.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine adapted to tighten caps upon containers which have been loosely applied thereto by hand.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sealing machine adapted to form a seal of uniform tightness upon containers, without applying the caps too tightly or marring the lacquer thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine particularly adapted to tighten caps, having lugs in the skirt thereof, upon containers having interrupted or divided threads.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a screw capping machine having means adapted to cooperate with the sealing devices to hold the containers against rotation While a cap is applied thereto.

A further object of the invention is to provide a sealing machine adapted to be adjusted to accommodate containers of various sizes.

Other and further objects of the invention will be obvious upon an understanding of the illustrative embodiment about to be described, or will be indicated in the appended claims, and various advantages not referred to herein will occur to one skilled in the art, upon employment of the invention in practice.

A preferred embodiment of the invention has been chosen for purposes of illustration and description and will be indicated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the specification, wherein Fig. 1 is a side elevational view illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view of a portion of the machine, illustrating the cap applying means;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary side elevational View, partly in section, illustrating a cap being sealed upon a container, and a preferred mechanism for holding the container against rotation;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view, taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view, taken along the line 55 of Fig. 2, illustrating .means for adjusting the height of the sealing head;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view, illustrating the drive and clutch mechanisms;

Fig. '7 is an end view with parts broken away to illustrate the operation of the clutch;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view, taken along the line 88 of Fig. 2, illustrating a preferred mechanism for operating the cap applying devices;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of a slightly different cap engaging head;

Fig. 10 shows another form of a chuck for engaging the caps;

Fig. 11 shows still another form of a chuck for engaging the caps; and

Fig. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view, illustrating a preferred form of clutch faces.

Referring again to the drawings, and more 5 particularly to Fig. 1 thereof, there is shown a suitable base I, provided with legs 2 adapted to be secured to the floor, or other suitable foundation, by means of bolts 4. At the upper end of the base I, a table or platform is provided, adapted to support a container 6 and a sealing head i, together with the operative parts therefor.

An upright column I I, providing a support for the sealing means, is secured to the table 5 (see Figs. 1, 2 and 3), having a horizontal sleeve I2 mounted at the upper end thereof, which is adapted to house a drive shaft [4 adapted to be operated by a suitable drive mechanism and a clutch device, described hereinafter. At a convenient position on the column II, a bracket I5 is mounted, with a bearing aperture l6 therein adapted to receive and guide a vertically movable sleeve I? for supporting and operating the sealing devices. The sleeve I! is adapted to be moved upwardly and downwardly by an eccentric mechanism, preferably comprising a crank member l9 keyed upon the rotatable shaft l4, 2. link member 26 pivoted at one end to member l9 by a pin 2!, and a clamp member 22 pivoted to the other end of the link member 26 by a suitable pin 24.

Preferably, the clamp member 22, illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 5, comprises a. pair of split collar members 25 and 25, adapted to receive and engage the shaft I! to facilitate adjusting the height thereof. The member 25 is provided with a threaded aperture 21, adapted to engage one end of a bolt member which is slidably disposed through an aperture 36 provided in the member 26. The bolt member 29 is provided with a suitable handle member 3l so that the bolt may be rotated to tighten the members 25 and 26 about the sleeve. IT to clamp the sleeve in position.

The lower end of the sleeve I1 is provided with a pair of slots or cam grooves 32 and 34, adapted to receive a pair of rollers 35 and 36, respectively, mounted upon a suitable member 31 adapted to support the sealing mechanism. The member 37 is inserted into the lower end of the sleeve ll and is adapted to slide upwardly and downwardly therein, whereby the cam grooves 32 and 34 are effective to guide the rollers 35 and 36 and rotate the member 31. If desired, the upper portion of the member 31 may be provided with an aperture or cup portion 39, adapted to retain oil or grease, and with a pair of distributing grooves 46 leading therefrom to the side portions of the sleeve, whereby the contacting surfaces of sleeves i1 and 37 may be kept lubricated.

The lower end of the member 31 is adapted to be threaded into engagement with a bushing 4|, formed integral with a suitable downwardly facing clutch disc 42, having a central aperture 43 for receiving a rod 44 adapted to support the sealing head i. The rod 44 is slidably suspended within the aperture 43 and the member 3'! by means of nuts 45, which rest upon the upper end of the bushing 4| to limit the downward movement of the rod. A corresponding upwardly facing clutch member 41 is threaded upon the rod 44, at 46, and is adapted to engage the clutch face 42 upon relative upward movement of the rod 44. The clutch faces 42 and 41 are, preferably, provided with ratchet teeth 49 (see Fig. 12) adapted to engage upon clockwise rotation and disengage upon counter-clockwise rotation.

The sealing head illustrated in the embodiment, shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, preferably comprises a substantially cone-shaped disc 50, secured to the lower end 48 of the rod 44, and having a friction surface 5! at the side portions thereof. A cup-shaped member 52 is telescoped about the disc 5!! and is slidably mounted with respect to the rod 44. The cup-shaped member 52 is provided with a corresponding friction sLuface 53, adapted to engage the friction surface 5i to rotate the cup-shaped member whereby the members 56 and 52 form a friction clutch. The member 52 is preferably pro-vided with a flange 54 for securing a suitable cap engaging chuck 55 thereto. The cap engaging chuck 55 may comprise an annular member having an internal inclined zone 56, for engaging the knurled portion of the cap 9, as shown in Fig. 3.

In order to hold the members 56 and 52 in frictional engagement, so that the chuck 55 is rotated with the sleeve 31, when the clutch faces 42 and 4! are effective, a spring member 5'! is mounted about the rod 44 so that its lower end abuts against the top portion of member 52 through the intermediation of a washer 59, to hold member 52 downwardly in frictional contact with member 56. The spring 51 is compressed at the upper end thereof by a member 66, threaded upon the rod 44 below the clutch member 4?. By moving the member 60 upwardly or downwardly, the spring 51 may be adjusted to regulate the amount of frictional contact between members 50 and 52. It will be understood that the spring 57 may be compressed any desired amount to increase the effectiveness of the friction members 55 and 52.

In some instances, it may be desirable to prevent relative rotation between the friction members 55 and 52. This may be accomplished by increasing the compression on the members 5| and 52 by means of the spring 5?. A better way is to utilize a sealing head, such as shown in Fig. 9, wherein a chuck supporting member 58 is connected directly to the rod 44, without the friction discs. The remaining parts of the sealing head may be the same as described above with respect to Fig. 3.

The construction shown in Fig. 9 is particularly applicable where it is desired to turn the cap through a definite predetermined angle in the application thereof. Certain containers for lug screw caps have flat or horizontal thread portions to prevent accidental loosening of the caps. With these containers, the caps should be turned a definite angle sothat the lugs will rest on these horizontal portions. There is suificient flexibility in such caps to permit the same amount of rotation in each instance.

When the sleeve I? is moved downwardly by the drive mechanism, the chuck 55 engages the cap 9 and moves the rod 44 upwardly with respect to sleeve 31 to make the clutch members 42 and 41 effective. Upon further downward movement of the sleeve H, the cam grooves 32 and 34 act upon the cam rollers 35 and 35 to rotate the sleeve 31, whereby the clutch members 42 and 41, and the chuck 55, are rotated to apply the cap upon the container. When the downward pressure of the chuck 55 upon the cap becomes excessive, as the cap is screwed home, the friction member 56 is moved relatively downwardly and out of contact with the member 52, whereby the corresponding friction surfaces 5| and 55 disengage. When the sleeve I'! is raised upwardly, the weight of the sealing head causes the rod 44 to move relatively downwardly in the sleeve 31, whereby the teeth of the clutch members 42 and 41 disengage, and the sealing head cannot be rotated in a counter-clockwise direction to unscrew the cap.

If desired, markings 48 (Fig. 3) may be provided on the sleeve 37, adapted to indicate the angle which the chuck 55 has been rotated. These markings register with the lower end of the sleeve I'I, so that they are readily readable by the operator of the machine during the sealing operations. These markings are also helpful for determining the angle the cap has been rotated upon the container, so that the spring 51 may be adjusted to provide the proper frictional contact between members so and 52.

Since it is desirable to center the containers properly, with respect to the sealing head, a plurality of concentric, annular grooves GI are pro-- vided on the platform 5, which serve as a guide for the operator placing the containers thereon. In addition, as shown more particularly in Figs. 3 and 4, the present invention provides automatic means for clamping the containers to prevent rotation thereof during the application of closure caps thereto. These means preferably comprise a substantially Y-shaped member 62, suitably attached to the table by means of a bolt 66 extending through a slot 65, provided in member 62, adapted to faciltate adjustment thereof for difierent sizes of containers. A corresponding Y-shaped member 86 is slidably mounted upon the table by a rod 69, which is adapted to reciprocate within a bearing II! provided in column I I. The members 62 and 66 are preferably provided with suitable gripping cushions 6i, composed of rubber, felt or similar material, which are adapted to hold the containers without danger of breakage.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 2, 3 and 8, there is shown a mechanism adapted to operate the clamping member 66 with the cap applying means. A cam II is mounted upon the drive shaft I4, which operates the sealing mechanism for operating the container clamping mechanism in timed relation to the sealing mechanism. The cam member I! is provided with a cam surface I2 which engages cam rollers 11 for reciprocating a slidable member I4, having a slot I5 therein adapted to receive a guide roller it on the shaft I i.

The reciprocating movement of the slidable member may be transmitted to the clamping member 65 by any suitable connecting devices. For example, a bushing 89 may be provided at the lower end of member 75, so that the upper end of a vertical rod 8! may be secured therein. The lower end of the rod 8| is slidably mounted in a suitable bearing portion 83, provided in a sleeve member 84, which may be slidably disposed within a bearing aperture 85 in the supporting bracket I 5. A roller 86 is mounted adjacent to the member 85 to facilitate upward and downward movement of the sleeve 84. In order that the rod BI and the sleeve 84 operate in a steady manner, without sudden jerks, a suitable spring 8? is coiled about the rod 8|, which is tensioned by means of a flange $2 at the upper end of the rod, and a suitable extension provided within the sleeve 84, adapted to engage and provide a seat for the lower end of the spring. The sliding movement of the rod is limited within the bearing portion 83 of the sleeve by a groove 78, provided in the rod 8|, which defines upper and lower abutting portions adapted to engage a suitable key member 89 secured to member 84. In this manner, when the rod Si is moved downwardly, the spring B'I-is compressed until it offers sufficient resistance to impart downward movement to the sleeve 84 and, likewise, upon upward movement of the rod M, the tension of the spring is gradually relieved until the lower end of the grooved portion 18 engages the key member 89 to raise the sleeve upwardly. These members effect a resilient connection which prevents excessive or sudden forces from being exerted upon the clamp member 66.

The vertical movement of these connecting devices is transformed into horizontal movement by providing a connecting link 90 at the lower end of the sleeve 84, which is, in turn, connected to a bell crank 9I mounted at 92 upon the supporting column II. To operatively connect the bell crank to the clamp member, a suitable slidable member 9G is linked to the bell crank by means of a pin 95 extending through an aperture 95 in the member 95. The slidable member 94 is provided with a bearing portion 91, adapted to receive the rod 69 of the clamp member 66, which may be secured thereto in any suitable manner. Preferably, as illustrated herein, a bolt member 99 is threaded transversely into the member 94 and is adapted to engage spaced indentations I06, provided in the rod portion 69. The bolt member 99 is adapted to be unscrewed, whereby the position of the container gripping clamp 66 may be adjusted so that the bolt engages any of the notches I09 along the rod 89, depending upon the desired position of the clamp 66. In order that the rod 69 does not slide freely in the aperture 9'! when the bolt 99 is unscrewed, a pin IGI is oppositely disposed with respect to the bolt and adapted to engage corresponding notches It), provided on the other side of the rod 69. The pin IBI is held resiliently against the rod 69 by a spring member I02 abutting against a flange I04 on the pin, and a holding member I05 secured to the member 94. In this manner, the rod 69 may readily slide within the bearing 91 to adjust the position of the clamp 66 by withdrawing the pin lol, and is temporarily held against movement when the pin is effective.

Fig. illustrates a slightly different type of chuck, which comprises a member I06 connected to the lower end of the rod 44 and having a disc I61, of composition rubber or the like, secured thereto by means of bolts I08. Other material, such as felt, may also be utilized, depending upon the desired friction between the cap and chuck. The lower surface of the disc is adapted to frictionally engage the top portion of the cap, and, upon rotation of the sealing head, the cap is screwed upon the container. To facilitate a better grip between the disc and the cap, the lower surface of the disc may be grooved or cross-hatched, as indicated at I09. The advantage of this type of chuck is that it is adapted to apply caps varying in size, without any adjustment.

In Fig. 11, there is shown another form of chuck adapted to engage the top of dome-shaped caps. To accomplish this, the lower surface of the chuck is concave, so that it registers with the convex portion of the cap. This type of chuck operates in the same manner as the chuck shown in Fig. 10 and eliminates the necessity of a frictional clutch, or other complicated devices, to facilitate proper application of the cap upon the container.

.A preferred drive mechanism is illustrated more particularly in Figs. 1, 6 and 7, comprising a motor I I0 secured to the platform 5, and a clutch mechanism I I2, supported by a column II 3 and operatively connected to the motor by means of a belt I I I encased within a suitable guard H5. The belt I I4 is mounted upon a pulley I I6, secured to a shaft II'I having a worm gear [I9 thereon, adapted to mesh with and rotate a corresponding gear I26 rotatably mounted upon a bearing I2I on shaft I4. The gear I20 has an attached plate member I22, with an aperture I24 therein adapted to engage suitable means for operatively connecting the shaft I4 with the gear I20. A hand wheel I I8 is attached to the end of the shaft I IT, for manually operating the machine to make adjustments and the like.

As shown in Figs. 6 and '7, the shaft I4 extends through the bearing I2I and the protruding end thereof is provided with a member I25 adapted to support means for periodically engaging the aperture I24 in the plate I22. These means preferably comprise a suitable plunger I26, slidably disposed in a slot I21 in member I25, which is normally held in engagement with the plate member I22 by means of a spring member I29. A suitable roller I36 is mounted, at I3I, upon the plunger I26, to be engaged by a cam member I32 mounted adjacent to member I25. The cam member I32 is provided with an inclined portion I34 adapted to engage the roller I38 and withdraw the plunger I26 from the aperture I24.

- from the roller, whereby the roller is released and the spring I29 slides the plunger I26 into the aperture I24 of the clutch plate I22. In this manner, the member I25 is adapted to rotate the shaft l4 for driving the machine. When pressure on the treddle is released, the spring I39 returns the arm I36 and the cam I32 to its normal position, whereby the roller I33 is engaged by the cam to move the plunger I25 out of engagement within the plate to stop the rotation of the drive shaft I I4. It will be understood that other drive mechanisms and clutch devices may be advantageously utilized, but the above construction is desirable because it automatically permits the sealing devices to be operated for one complete sealing cycle, thus eliminating excessive wear of the machine and preventing accidents likely to be caused by continuously moving sealing means.

In adjusting the machine for operation, a container is centered with respect to the sealing head I, by means of the circular grooves 6| on the platform 5, and the stationary gripping member 52 is adjusted by means of bolt 64 to position the container properly. The movable gripping member 66 is then moved towards the container by turning over the machine by means of the hand wheel I I6, so that the container is engaged by the Y-shaped portion of the member 66. The rod 63 may then be slidably adjusted with respect to member 94 by securing the bolt 99 in the proper notch so that the movable clamping member 66 firmly engages the container to hold it against the stationary clamping member 62. When these adjustments have been made, a 010- sure cap 9 is loosely applied upon the container, nd a cap engaging chuck 55, of proper size, is connected to the sealing head. The hand wheel I I8 is again turned over so that the sealing head is in its lower position and the chuck engages the closure cap. The height of the sealing head is then adjusted by means of the clamping member 22, by sliding the sleeve I'I into its proper eleva tion and clamping it in position by the handle 3 I When the sleeve I1 is in its lower operating position, the chuck should rest upon the cap, the degree lines 58 on the sleeve 31 then indicate the desired angle of turn of the chuck. To control the desired angle of turn, which, for example, may be 90, the height of the sleeve is adjusted so that the cam grooves are effective to rotate the chuck until the lower end of the sleeve I'I registers with the 90 mark. Generally, the angle of turn required to apply the cap upon the container to provide a secure seal, depends upon the number of lugs in the cap or the pitch of the threads. Preferably, the exact angle of rotation is first determined by applying caps upon the containers by hand, to provide the desired seal. After these adjustments have been made, the machine is operated by turning the hand wheel and, if all parts move freely and a satisfactory seal is effected, the power drive may be started.

Preferably, containers having caps loosely applied thereto are fed to the machine by an operator who places them against the stationary clamping member 62. However, it will be understood that automatic conveying devices may be utilized to present the containers to the sealing machine. After a container has been positioned, the treadle MI is pushed downwardly, whereby the levers I36 and I40 operate the arm I36 to move the cam I32 away from the roller I30, and the spring I29 is effective to slide the plunger I26 against the clutch plate I22. As the drive gears H9 and I20 are rotated, the plate I22 is moved in position so that the plunger I26 registers with the aperture I24, to connect the shaft I4 to the drive means. Upon rotation of shaft I4, the cam II slides the member I4 and the rod 8| downwardly to operate the bell crank which slides the movable clamping member 66 into engagement with the container to hold it against rotation. At the same time, the eccentric members I9 and 20 move the supporting clamp 22 and the sleeve I'I downwardly, whereby the chuck 55 engages the cap. Upon further downward movement, the clutch faces 42 and 41 engage each other, and the sleeve 31 slides upwardly into the sleeve IT. The cam rollers 35 and 36 ride within the grooves of the sleeve H to rotate the chuck to apply the cap upon the container. During the sealing of the cap, the markings 58 indicate the angle which the cap has been rotated. If the resistance to downward movement of the chuck 55 becomes excessive, the member 50 continues to move relatively downwardly against the resistance of spring 57, whereby the friction members 50 and 52 disengage to prevent further rotation of the sealing means. If resistance to rotation of the cap becomes excessive, the friction surfaces and 53 will slip to prevent further rotation of the chuck. The allowable sealing effort may be predetermined by adjusting the tension of the spring by raising or lowering the member 60 on the supporting rod 44. In many instances, it may be desirable to utilize the sealing heads illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10. The operation thereof is similar to the preferred embodiment, except that the angle of rotation of the chuck is always the same and is not dependent upon the relative fit between the cap and container.

Reverse rotation of the chuck, which would unscrew the cap, is prevented, since the ratchet teeth 49 of the clutch members 42 and 4'! repel these members on backward rotation to make the clutch ineffective.

As the shaft I4 and the member I25 complete one revolution, the roller I30 engages the inclined surface I34 of the cam I32, and moves the plunger I26 away from the clutch face I22, whereby further rotation of the shaft I4 ceases.

While the preferred embodiment has been described as being particularly adapted for sealing or tightening lug type caps upon containers, it will be understood that the present invention contemplates that the machine may be utilized for applying caps having continuous threads. To accomplish this, a suitable sleeve having cam grooves therein adapted to rotate the sealing chuck a desired angle, for example 180 or more, is substituted for the sleeve II. The other parts of the machine operate in the same manner as described heretofore and facilitate the sealing of screw caps having continuous threads, without sacrificing any of the advantages of the present invention.

It will be seen that the present invention provides a machine adapted to tighten or seal screw caps upon containers to effect a secure and uniform seal in every instance, thereby overcoming the disadvantages of existing machines. The present machine can accommodate containers varying in size and may be readily adjusted to provide the proper rotative effort required to seal the cap effectively upon a container, without marring the lacquer of the cap or sealing the cap too tightly. The present invention further provides container gripping means which are likewise adjustable for different sizes of containers and are operative in timed relation with the sealing means to hold the containers in position against rotation, without danger of being broken. The machine is simple and inexpensive in construction and is designed to prevent injury to the person operating it. The present machine is rugged in construction and can readily withstand the rough usage to which it may be subjected.

As various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and without sacrificing its advantages, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a screw capping machine, the combination of a chuck for frictionally engaging a closure cap, reciprocating means for raising and lowering said chuck into and out of engagement with a cap mounted on a container, means for operatively connecting said chuck to said raising and lowering means to slidably suspend said chuck from said raising and lowering means, means associated with said connecting means for rotating said chuck to apply a cap when downward movement thereof is stopped by a cap on a container, said rotating means being effective to rotate said chuck connecting means in the opposite direction when said reciprocating means move upwardly, and a clutch for preventing rotation of said chuck in said opposite direction.

2. In a sealing machine, the combination of a cap engaging member, a cup-shaped member connected to said cap engaging member having a cone-shaped friction surface, on the inner portions thereof, supporting means within said cupshaped member having a corresponding friction surface adapted to engage said first surface, a

spring member adapted to maintain the effective frictional contact between said surfaces until downward pressure of the cap engaging member on a cap becomes excessive, and means for rotating said supporting means, whereby said cap engaging means is rotated to screw a cap upon a container.

3. In a sealing machine for applying screw caps upon containers, the combination of a column, having a cam slot therein reciprocating means for moving said column upwardly and downwardly, a rotatable cap engaging chuck adapted to move downwardly with said column, and means slidable within the cam slot of said column for operatively connecting said chuck to said column said cam slot having a curved contour at its lower end adapted to rotate said slidable means, and chuck a predetermined amount to screw a cap upon a container immediately when the chuck engages the cap and further downward movement of the chuck is prevented, said means slidable in said slot being effective to position said chuck for a succeeding rotating operation upon upward movement of said reciprocating means.

4. In a device for screwing caps upon a container, the combination of a sleeve having a cam slot, means for reciprocating said sleeve, a rotatable cap engaging member, means associated with said sleeve for operatively connecting said cap engaging member to said sleeve, said means having projections confined in said cam slot for rotating said cap engaging member through a predetermined angle upon the commencement of lineal movement of said sleeve with respect to the cap engaging member, whereby said cap engaging member is adapted to screw a cap upon a container said cam slot having a curved contour at its lower end whereby said rotating means are effective immediately when downward movement of the chuck is stopped by the cap on the container.

5. In a sealing machine, the combination of a sleeve having a pair of cam grooves therein, a member slidably mounted in said sleeve, a pair of rollers attached to said member disposed in said cam grooves adapted to effect relative rotation between said sleeve and member, clutch members connected to said slidable member, a chuck operatively connected to said clutch members adapted to engage a closure cap on a container, and means for moving said sleeve downwardly to place said chuck on the closure cap and make said clutch effective, whereby the rollers ride in said cam grooves to rotate the slidable member and chuck to screw the cap upon the container.

6. In a sealing machine, the combination of a sleeve having cam grooves therein, a member disposed in said sleeve having rollers thereon adapted to ride in said grooves to efiect relative rotation of said sleeve and member, a clutch mechanism operativelyconnected to said member, cap gripping means friction means for connecting said cap gripping means to said clutch mechanism, and means for lowering said sleeve to move said cap gripping means into engagement with a cap on a container to make said clutch effective whereby further downward movement of the sleeve effects rotation of said member, clutch mechanism and cap gripping means to screw the cap on the container, said friction means being effective to stop rotation of said cap gripping means when the cap is screwed home on the container.

7. In a screw capping machine, the combination of a rotatable cap engaging member, reciprocating means for supporting and moving said member downwardly into engagement with a closure cap on a container, means for rotatingsaid member immediately when moved into engagement with the closure cap, a ratchet clutch associated with said moving and rotating means for rendering said rotating means effective when said member engages a cap, and means associated with said cap engaging member for rendering said rotating means ineffective when said member has turned the cap through a predetermined angle, said clutch being rendered ineffective when said moving means raise said member upwardly and out of engagement with the closure cap.

8. In a sealing machine, the combination of means for screwing a cap upon a container, a member adapted to center the container with respect to said means, a movable member adapted to engage the container and clamp it against said first member to hold the container against rotation, said movable member having an extension provided with spaced notches, a slidable member having means secured therein for engaging one of the notches on said extension to adjust the position of said movable member with respect to said first member, and means for operating said slidable member and said movable member, said last means being effective in timed relation with said cap applying means.

9. In a sealing machine, the combination of a platform adapted to support a container to be sealed, means for screwing a cap upon the container, a member bolted to said platform adapted to engage and center the container with respect to said capping means, a movable member adapted to clamp the container against said first member, means associated with said movable member for adjusting the position thereof with respect to said first member, and means for operating said clamping member in timed relation with said capping means.

10. In a sealing machine, the combination of a sleeve having cam slots therein, devices for reciprocating said sleeve, a cap engaging chuck, means for operatively connecting said chuck to said sleeve, said means having rollers associated therewith confined in said cam slots adapted to ride in said cam slots, said means and sleeve being relatively slidable whereby downward movement of said sleeve with respect to said means will cause said rollers to ride upwardly in said cam slots and rotate said means and said cap'engaging chuck, said slots having portions adapted to rotate said means when said chuck engages the cap and portions above said first portions adapted to permit said rollers to move upwardly without rotation of said means, and means associated with said reciprocating means for adjusting the position of said sleeve to control the efiective angle of rotation of said chuck connecting means.

11. In a sealing machine, the combination of a sealing head adapted to rest by gravity on a cap on a container to frictionally engage the closure cap, and a sleeve relatively slidable with said head adapted to support said head, a ratchet clutch associated with said head, reciprocating means for moving said sleeve upwardly and downwardly, and means associated with said head and sleeve for effecting relative rotation between said sleeve and head when said reciprocating means are eifective, said ratchet clutch rendering said rotating means ineffective during upward movement of said sleeve while said head is engaging the cap.

12. In a screw capping machine, the combination of a sleeve having cam slots therein, means for reciprocating said sleeve, a chuck holder connected to said sleeve having rollers thereon for riding in said cam slots, a ratchet member secured to said chuck holder, a second ratchet member slidably connected to said chuck holder adapted to engage said first ratchet member When said first ratchet member is rotated ina clockwise direction, a friction disc connected to and rotatable with said second ratchet member, a cap engaging chuck having a friction surface abutting against said friction disc, said chuck being mounted upon said friction disc, and resilient means between said chuck and second ratchet member for holding the friction surface of said chuck against said friction disc.

13. In a screw capping machine, the combination of a column, a rotatable cap engaging chuck for screwing a cap on a container, said chuck having a friction clutch therein, means operatively connected to said chuck and said column for rotating said chuck through a predetermined angle upon downward movement of said column, and means for moving said column downwardly whereby said cap engaging chuck is adapted to be moved into engagement with a closure cap and is rotated to screw the cap upon a container, said friction clutch being adapted to stop the movement of said chuck when resistance of the cap to downward movement or rotation becomes excessive.

14. In a sealing machine, the combination of a sleeve, a rotatable cap engaging chuck operatively connected to said sleeve, a clutch mechanism associated with said chuck, means for moving said sleeve to move said chuck into engagement with a cap on a container, and cam means in said sleeve for rotating said clutch and chuck, said cam means and clutch being effective in response to said chuck engaging a cap.

15. In a screw capping machine the combination of a vertically reciprocating sleeve, a ratchet clutch rotating means operatively connecting said clutch to said sleeve, and a cap engaging chuck connected to said clutch adapted to be rotated in one direction to screw a cap on a container, said clutch comprising a pair of members having ratchet teeth thereon adapted to engage when the sleeve is moved downwardly and said chuck engages a cap on a container to rotate the chuck, said ratchet teeth disengaging when the sleeve is moved upwardly whereby rotation of the chuck in the other direction is prevented.

16. In a screw capping machine, a column having cam slots therein for rotating a cap engaging means less than 200, a cap engaging chuck, means operatively connected to said chuck and slidably associated with the slots in said column, an adjustable clutch associated with said chuck and connecting means adapted to stop rotation of said chuck when the cap is screwed on the container, means for moving said column downwardly to cause said slots to rotate a predetermined angle, and markings on said last means adapted to indicate the angle said chuck has been rotated so that the clutch may be adjusted to stop rotation of the chuck after the chuck has been rotated a predetermined angle.

17. In a screw capping machine, the combination of an annular member for engaging a closure cap, a substantially cup-shaped member having said annular member connected thereto, said cup-shaped member having a downwardly facing friction surface, a disc member mounted within said cup-shaped member having an upwardly facing friction surface for engaging said friction surface of said cup-shaped member, a spring for normally holding said friction surfaces in engagement, said disc and cup-shaped member being adapted to be moved apart in resistance to said spring, and means for moving said disc downwardly and rotating said disc to rotate said cup-shaped member and annular member to apply a cap on a container, said spring being adjustable to render engagement between said friction surfaces ineffective when rotative forces between said friction surfaces become excessive or when downward forces exerted by said annular member on the cap become excessive.

18. In a screw capping machine for rotating screw caps a predetermined angle, the combination of a movable sleeve having cam slots therein, a cap engaging means for rotating screw caps upon containers, a member slidable within said sleeve and operatively connecting said cap engaging means to said sleeve, rollers on said member confined in said cam slots, said cam slots being adapted to rotate said member and cap engaging means a predetermined angle upon mo'vement of said sleeve, said member having markings thereon adapted to register with the lower end of said sleeve to indicate the angle of rotation of said member and cap engaging means, and means for adjusting said movable sleeve to determine the angle of rotation.

ABRAHAM PODEL. 

